“Not everyone learns the same way so I really like the challenge in how best to explain these concepts to people, and for them to leave having achieved, no matter how big or small.”

A member of the Clare Senior Camogie team since the age of 15, sport and fitness has been a central part in the life of Chloe Morey since a young age. Hailing from a strong sporting village in Sixmilebridge, the environment in the Morey household was no different.

“My father Mike would have encouraged my siblings and I up to the field a lot, and the problem was more getting us out of there rather than out of the house!

It makes sense then that Chloe’s latest venture is very much a family affair. Born out of frustrations expressed at a family function about the lack of sufficient space to cater to the fitness needs of people in the locality, Chloe and her cousin Seadna set about to fill this gap.

After two years of research, planning, and visits to gyms across the country, Morey Movement was founded in 2021. As a graduate of our Diploma in Personal Training and S&C, we were delighted to catch up with Chloe on her own sporting and coaching careers.

A People-First Approach

By the age of 20, Chloe had become an established member of the Clare team, rewarded with an All-Star award in 2013 as recognition for her performances. It was also around this time that the fitness element of the game started to pique her interest.

“I wanted to know the why of what I was being asked to do in many of the S&C programmes been given to us at county level. I had a keen interest in gym work at this point and I’d constantly find myself researching certain exercises over another, the ins and outs, the best way to perform them and overall, how to better perform on a pitch.

Seadna and I had been toying with the idea of setting up our own gym, and we don’t like doing things by halves. We wanted to make sure we had the proper research, qualifications and expertise, to be able to provide a top-class, professional service to people who sought our help.”

Both Chloe and Seadna enrolled on the Diploma in Personal Training and S&C with Setanta College and set about formulating their own approach to coaching – with a people-first approach at the centre of this.

“It’s a really hard thing to do; ask for guidance or ask for help and that’s essentially what you’re doing when you sign up for coaching. It’s quite a vulnerable thing to do, no matter your level, so treating those who seek your help with the utmost understanding and care is vital to me. I’d like people to know that I have their back and willing to get a grasp of where they are on their fitness journey and how best they like to work to get there. Not everyone learns the same way so I really like the challenge in how best to explain these concepts to people, and for them to leave having achieved, no matter how big or small.”

There are also skills and experiences from her role as a teacher that Chloe feels have complemented her coaching work.

“Not everyone is going to work the way you do, but you have to try to find a common ground to help reach both your own expectations and those of others. Teaching has taught me this in a great way.  Cueing and breaking things down step by step from the teaching world has transferred excellently well into the coaching world too.”

Morey Movement

Ahead of Morey Movement’s opening, there was a clear aim to provide something different than a standard, commercial gym.

“We wanted to introduce people who thought they’d never be able for a gym environment, to that very thing. We wanted to offer a host of different sessions that accommodated varying levels, but people leaving no matter the ability, would have achieved something.”

To ensure that each client receives personalized attention and can work at their own pace, a pod system for small group personal training. “12 in a session means everybody has their own squat rack, own set of dumbbells, kettlebells and med balls. This way, everyone is comfortable in their own space and has time to get used to gym equipment, without everyone looking for the same piece of equipment.”

Balancing Studying, Coaching, Playing and Teaching

Between running a facility, teaching, playing intercounty sports, and studying it has been a hectic period for Chloe.

“It’s been a whirlwind year, to be honest! Setanta were superb in understanding this lifestyle and I would say it was the main reason for me achieving but also very much enjoying studying again. My partner has been my rock for me throughout this busy time; they could not be more supportive, and I wouldn’t have survived the last year without them. My siblings have also been amazing; Caimin, Alex, and Melissa have been immense as well as my father Mike, and mother Valerie. They couldn’t do enough for me.”

Looking to the Future

With the new facility open just over one year, there are many plans to continue its growth including summer games, teenage athletic development classes, and more.

“We’ve lots of ideas in the pipeline, looking to expand our member and employee base. I’d love our warehouse to become a center of training for athletes locally and further afield from an individual perspective and team perspective as well. Personally, I’d really like to further my knowledge in the area of strength and conditioning from a team perspective.”

Advice for Graduates

Just over one year into her experience, Chloe also provided some valuable insight for those that might also be venturing into opening their own facility, including mind-mapping all ideas and visiting as many facilities as possible.

“Write down what you value – what’s important to you? When people think of you, what attributes would you like to be known for? These will guide you and make sure you stay authentic to your goals. I’ve also found other gyms to be incredibly helpful in aiding us with our idea for Morey Movement.”

Chloe also stressed the importance of a strong support system.

“Find your people. By that, I mean have your people as your support base and keep them close. Nothing is a one person show – we need people who’d stick with you through thick and thin, you’ll bounce ideas off of them, rely on them and need them to keep you sane!”

As for her highlight and most enjoyable element of coaching?

“Seeing people more comfortable in their own bodies and proud of what their body enables them to do is a view I get to see weekly, and I’m very grateful to those who allow me a glimpse into those snippets of gold.”

Morey Movement

Morey Movement is based in Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare led by Setanta graduates Chloe and Seadna Morey. Chloe provides more information on their approach below:

“Resistance training is our main form of work here, we use a pod system for our small group personal training. 12 in a session means everybody has their own squat rack, own set of dumbbells, kettlebells and med balls. This way, everyone is comfortable in their own space and has time to get used to gym equipment, without everyone looking for the same piece of equipment. Quality of movement is much more important to us here rather than quantity. 

For the general population, we have 3 sessions currently, whereby we have ages from 17-75 partaking. Our most popular AllZones is our all-encompassing workout that targets mobility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. We have a SweatZone where the session is based on our cardio equipment and we use heart rate monitors to track members’ workload. And lastly, we have our RedZone, which is our intermediate or advanced fitness class.”

You can find the gym on Instagram through @moreymovement.

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